December 3, 2021| Issue 35
401 Anacostia Road Residence Lease-up Begins in December!
The Anacostia Road Residence will begin the lease-up process on December 14th!! BE SURE TO CHECK MHFOA Website for more info!
SAVE THE DATE: December 20th AT 4 PM
As we approach the winter solstice and the daylight hours decrease, we need to experience the Miracle of light that we create when we are together—a light that is greater than the sum of its parts (each individual). This event will highlight some cultural traditions AND share how we survive and thrive as members of the LGBTQ+SGL tribe and our allies, even amidst Covid, isolation and aging. Come as you are and share in the libations to honor the ancestors, drumming, singing and good vibes as we enter the new year!
Mary's House for Older Adults continues to be committed to structures that empower Black Lives, because for usBLACK LIVES MATTER
always and all ways

Freddie Mac Holds LGBTQ+ Housing Summit

Dr. Woody was a panelist on the Growing Housing Needs of LGBTQ+ Elders session, with Sydney Kopp-Richardson, Director, LGBT Elder Housing SAGE, and moderated by Jerry Mauricio, SVP And Chief Compliance Office, Freddie Mac Compliance. These and other industry experts discussed the LGBTQ+ housing experience, exploring barriers to financing, discrimination in the housing process and ways industry leaders are advocating for access to LGBTQ+ friendly housing.

Other sessions included:
Fireside Chat: Transgender Discrimination in Credit and Finance
Panel: Intersections of the Black and LGBTQ+ Housing Experience

You can hear the entire session below. Dr. Woody’s session begins at 48:37.
New MHFOA Board Members:

Jim Williams and Elder Dyan Akosua McCray

Please help us welcome our newest Board members, Jim Williams and Elder Dyan Akosua McCray. Elder McCray has been a long-time supporter of MHFOA and Jim joined us recently from Baltimore. We are so excited that they decided to bring their skills, knowledge, and resources. Click the link to learn more.
MHFOA Donor SPOTLIGHT:
Mr. Donald Burch III
We love Donald Burgess!! Donald is a member of the tribe of LGBTQ+/SGL people that gives back to the community his time, talents and tithes! He has been a volunteer at events all over the City, provided input at policy and advocacy meetings and supported MHFOA since the beginning. Just recently Donald became a member of our $1K Groundbreakers Club. Members of the $1K Groundbreakers Club give $1K or more to the continuation of building and programming of Mary's House for Older Adults. We caught up with Donald recently and he shared why he supports MHFOA and the LGBTQ+/SGL community at large.
Important Booster Shot Info
Per the CDC: Everyone Ages 18 and Older Should Get a Booster Shot

IF YOU RECEIVED
Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna
Who should get a booster:
Everyone 18 years or older
When to get a booster:
At least 6 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series.
Which booster should you get?
Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States.

IF YOU RECEIVED
Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen
Who should get a booster:
Everyone 18 years or older
When to get a booster:
At least 2 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination.
Which booster should you get?
Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States.

You Can Help Us to Continue to Support Elders
As we get ready to welcome a new year, we eagerly anticipate the construction of our first Mary’s House for Older Adults (MHFOA) residence in D.C. and continued support of our elders. Together with your tax-deductible contribution, we will expand assistance to LGBTQ+/SGL older adults in need. Last year, through our Reach Out and Touch program, we served more than 120 elders in the District, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) and beyond by providing PPE, food gift cards, social distancing visits and virtual check-ins. The need to interrupt social isolation remains and we anticipate helping even more LGBTQ+/SGL elders because we realize it takes a village.
You can become a Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze sponsor of our December 20th event. We will acknowledge you in our virtual program (unless you choose to be anonymous which you can select below). No amount is too small. We thank you for your financial support!
Please complete and submit the information below by December 13, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact: Arie Gray, MHFOA Board of Directors, Events Chair at: (240) 432-5996 or: agray@maryshousedc.org
 
Your Name: ______________________________________
Mailing Address:_________________________
City:_________________ State:_______ Zip:__________
Email: _________________________________________ Phone:________________
PLEASE SELECT YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE SPONSORSHIP LEVEL: ☐ Platinum $5,000 ☐ Gold $1,000 ☐ Silver $500.00 ☐ Bronze $250 (with $250 we can distribute five grocery gift cards) ☐ Community $50 (with $50 we can provide PPE to five elders) ☐ other amount: ________
☐ WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN ADDITIONAL TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION in the amount of: __________
HOW WOULD LIKE TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED IN OUR PROGRAM: ☐ We would like to be listed as an anonymous sponsor. ☐ We would like to be acknowledged as a sponsor. Please list us as :____________________________

Payment Information: ☐ Check (payable to Mary’s House for Older Adults) PO Box 29561, Washington, D.C. 20017☐ PAYPAL or Credit Card
 Total Payment Amount:$________
Thank you for your continued support!